NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The American Cancer Society
(ACS) has launched a new 10-week challenge to help people get
active, stay active and have fun doing it.

The Get Active Challenge program, online at
http://www.getactivechallenge.org/, allows users to create
individualized plans, track their progress, and get friends,
family and neighbors involved, Colleen Doyle, director of
nutrition and physical activity at the ACS in Atlanta, told
Reuters Health. "You can get other people on a team with you
and you can motivate each other," she explained in an
interview.

A recent ACS survey found that 36 percent of people felt
they had no control over their risk of developing cancer, Doyle
noted. But in fact, she added, up to half of cancer deaths can
be prevented by eating right, staying at a healthy weight,
being active, quitting smoking, and getting the appropriate
screening tests.

ADVERTISEMENT

Diet and exercise alone could prevent up to one third of
cancer deaths. "People are not aware of the tremendous impact
being active can have on their cancer risk," she said.

The ACS recommends that people get at least 30 minutes of
activity at least five days a week. But people who are just
starting to incorporate exercise into their lives can adjust
their goals accordingly when using the Get Active program,
Doyle said. "We kind of meet people where they are."

The web site includes tips to help incorporate activity
into everyday life, for example walking to a co-worker's office
rather than sending an E-mail and taking the stairs rather than
the elevator, and guidance on staying motivated and building an
active family life.

The program, launched on May 15, will be available online
indefinitely, Doyle said. "People can tap into it at any time."